Tucked into the recent spending bill passed by Congress is a provision that sharply curtails the use of dogs in Veterans Administration research. "The measure would prohibit the use of dogs in VA research unless the objectives of a study can be met only by using them," reported Stars and Stripes. "Even in that instance, the study must be directly approved by the VA secretary. It also requires VA secretary report to Congress, detailing studies using dogs and that there were no alternatives." The push for this provision came from a conservative group, the White Coat Waste Project, which aims to cut government spending. (Stars and Stripes, March 23, 2018)

DxE, CASSIE KING GET SHITTY PRESS

Dare devil animal rights activist and member of the radical animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), Cassie King lay covered in a heap of animal manure (obtained from a sanctuary) in front of a San Francisco Trader Joe's market on Wednesday, March 21. The stunt followed an investigation by DxE into one of the store's egg suppliers where hens were found living under hideous conditions. King's protest was designed to draw attention to the plight of these hens. "The supposedly 'humane' eggs sold at Trader Joes' come from birds who lived their entire lives in piles of waste," King told the SF Gate, adding that deceptive labels "mislead consumers into paying for cruelty." (SF Gate, March 23, 2018)

A BUNNY FOR EASTER? ONE PET STORE SAYS NO

An unnamed pet store has decided to not sell rabbits until after the holiday in response to all the people who buy Easter bunnies, without realizing these are real animals that need real care. "People think, ‘They're so cute. They're so cuddly. They're so wonderful.’ That's all true but bunnies grow very quickly. They're living beings, a sensitive species that requires a real commitment," said Sandra DeFeo, executive director of the Humane Society of New York. An estimated 80 percent of all bunnies purchased for Easter are abandoned. According to the HSUS, most of these domesticated rabbits are released into the wild where they are unable to survive. (Romper, March 22, 2018)

BANNING PROCESSED MEAT FROM NEW YORK SCHOOLS PROPOSED

New York City Council members have introduced a resolution that would keep processed meats out of school cafeterias. The measure was introduced by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams who went vegan to counter health problems he was having. "We cannot continue feeding our children substances that are scientifically proven to increase their chances of cancer later in life," Adams told the New York Post. The bill is sponsored by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM.) (Live Kindly, March 24, 2018)

VEGAN FOOD FOR ALL IN CALIFORNIA

The Physicians for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) are sponsoring another bill, this time in the California State Legislature. State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) introduced the bill mandating that vegan options, including food containing no animals or animal by-products, be available in all public institutions, including hospitals and prisons. "Everyone in California deserves the same access to nutritious food," said Skinner. (Business Wire, March 27, 2018)

NO HORSE SLAUGHTER

A measure renewing the ban on slaughtering horses made its way into the $1.3 trillion spending bill which was passed by Congress last week. The ban, which was set to expire at the end of this March, was saved at the last minute by a bipartisan group of more than 100 senators and representatives called the Animal Protection Caucus. "The slaughter of horses for human consumption is a barbaric practice that must end," said Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Florida). At DxE we can think of a few more barbaric practices that need to end. (USA Today, March 26, 2018)

VICTORY FOR THE KANGAROO AND FRIENDS!

Responding to pressure from animal rights activists and customers, the UK's last grocery store to sell kangaroo meat is now stopping the practice. "Following customer feedback we have taken the decision to no longer sell kangaroo meat at Lidl UK," said a spokesman for the chain store. Kangaroo is, according to One Green Planet, the most hunted wildlife in human history. It's estimated that during 2018 nearly 7 million will be killed. Activists have been trying to stop the slaughter for years. Activist Juliet Gellatley said, "Having campaigned for two and half decades, I couldn't be happier to finally say - we did it!" (One Green Planet, March 23, 2018)